Difference between WCF and ASP.NET Web API in .Net web services

When it comes to developing web services in the .NET framework, there are two popular choices - Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) and ASP.NET Web API. Here are the key differences between the two:

• Technology Stack: WCF is a comprehensive framework for building service-oriented applications using various protocols like HTTP, TCP, and more. ASP.NET Web API is a lightweight framework specifically designed for building HTTP-based services.
• Programming Model: WCF follows a contract-based programming model where developers define service contracts, data contracts, and message contracts. ASP.NET Web API, on the other hand, follows a resource-based programming model where HTTP methods are mapped to CRUD operations on resources.
• Protocol Support: WCF supports a wide range of protocols and messaging formats, making it suitable for building enterprise-grade services. ASP.NET Web API primarily focuses on HTTP and RESTful services.
• Hosting Options: WCF services can be hosted in various ways including IIS, Windows services, and self-hosting. ASP.NET Web API is typically hosted within an ASP.NET application using IIS.
• Compatibility: WCF has been around for a longer time and is suitable for building complex distributed systems. ASP.NET Web API provides a simpler and more modern approach for developing web APIs.

Ultimately, the choice between WCF and ASP.NET Web API depends on the requirements of your project, the technology stack you are familiar with, and the nature of the services you need to build.